Microwave assisted robust aqueous synthesis of Mn-doped CdSe QDs with enhanced electronic properties.

A robust doping strategy of Mn ions in CdSe QDs has been developed in aqueous medium with mild microwave irradiation using the short-chain capping ligand 3-MPA. The concentration of the dopant is varied stoichiometrically in order to measure its effect on the conductivity of QD solids for further potential applications in the future. The synthesis parameters of CdSe QDs have been optimized to produce a uniform size among various samples to decouple the doping dependent conductivity from their bandgap.